Grammar Lesson: Colons
Directions: Read and complete all parts (1-4) of this assignment below.
Part 1:
Below are three examples of sentences that use a colon (:). Read the sentences and highlight
the colon in each. Then answer the reflection question.
“After these encounters, I would be a mess for days: depressed, irritable, hypervigilant, ashamed.”
- Junot Díaz, “The Terror”
“At the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Simone added five medals to her total: golds in team,
individual all-around, vault, and floor exercise, and bronze on beam.”
-Marty Kaminsky, “Simone
Biles”
“He crossed the lawn, slumped down on the garden bench, and sang under his breath: “Happy birthday
to me… happy birthday to me…”
-J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and
the Chamber of Secrets
REFLECTION QUESTION:
All three examples use a colon (:). What do you notice about how colons are used?
Part 2: Read all about the different uses of colons here.
After reading, create your own example sentence for each of the reasons we use colons.
1. A sentence for a colon to introduce lists.
2. A sentence for a colon between independent clauses when the second explains or
illustrates the first
3. A colon for emphasis.
4. Give one example of a non-grammatical use of a colon.
Part 3: Read each set of sentences, then explain why the sentence required a colon.
Set 1
You always eat the same foods for dinner: chicken, potatoes, corn, and green beans.
Marielle had quite a set of tasks to complete for the morning: washing the dishes,
scrubbing the floors, and folding all of the clean laundry piled high in the baskets.
Why a colon was needed: A colon is used in these sentences to introduce a list
that follows. In Set 1, the first sentence states the main idea that you always eat
the same foods for dinner, and the colon signals that a detailed list of those foods
will follow. Similarly, in the second sentence, Marielle's tasks are introduced, and
the colon indicates that the specific tasks will be enumerated afterwards. The
colon effectively clarifies that what comes next is directly related to what was just
mentioned, highlighting the items in the list.
Set 2
Eric’s grandmother sat motionless in the plush recliner, thinking of the right words to say.
Finally, she broke her silence: “You are such a hard-working, honest young man. Good things
will find you.”
Thea watched the dragon soaring through the sky toward our hiding place. She spun to
face me, a frightened look on her face: “We’ve been found!”
Why a colon was needed: A colon is used in these sentences to introduce direct
quotes or spoken words. In the first sentence, the colon indicates that what
follows is a direct statement or speech made by Eric’s grandmother, emphasizing
her thoughtful compliment towards him. Similarly, in the second sentence, the
colon precedes Thea's direct words, highlighting her reaction to the dragon and
expressing her fear. The colon signals to the reader that the text following it is a
clarification or elaboration of the thoughts or feelings of the characters, which
directly relates to the context provided prior to the colon.
Part 4: Write two sentences of your own, using a colon.
1. For the camping trip, I packed everything we would need: a tent, sleeping bags, a portable stove, and
plenty of food.
2. The teacher announced the winners of the contest: Emily for best artwork, Jake for best story, and
Mia for best presentation.
